Oral Health and Dental Management

Abstract

Oral hygiene instruction to arrest periodontitis in adolescents

Eikichi Maita, Gen Mayanagi, Keiji Ikawa, Ryotaro Kunii

Effectiveness of professional tooth cleaning instruction for a small group in adolescents to arrest periodontitis was assessed. Female high school students were examined the periodontal status using CPI index. Total and maximum score were represented as the sum and the largest score of CPI scores, respectively. Twenty-six students having 10-14 of total score were selected from all students for this prophylactic program. O'Leary's PCR was recorded after 5 min brushing by themselves. Then, the students had an additional 10 min brushing. Finally, brushing was instructed using conventional brushes. This instruction was conducted at 1-week intervals for 10 weeks.
O'Leary's PCR decreased significantly from the initial examination to the final one. Both total and maximum CPI scores decreased significantly at the next year examination. Maximum periodontal pocket depth decreased significantly after the program.
Despite the fact that approximately 3% of all students received the program, smaller scores increased in all students, suggesting the effect of this program may have spread to the wider group. The brushing technique was improved by sufficient and repeated instruction and the progression of incipient periodontitis was arrested, and periodontal condition was improved. Consequently, this program may contribute to the prophylaxis of periodontitis in adolescents.